Chapter 756: Tang Zhengqi, Unparalleled Schemer

Chapter 756: Tang Zhengqi, Unparalleled Schemer

Everyone turned toward Tang Zhengqi. No one expected that he would have gained the saint's favor so quickly and so completely.

Tang glanced at the saint, then at the other cultivators in the hall. He suddenly fell silent.

"What's the matter? Are you unwilling to say it?" the saint demanded.

Lou Yujing began to laugh. "Tang Zhengqi, do you suspect that there are traitors in our midst who might leak the strategy you've come up with?"

Everyone began to frown. Did Tang Zhengqi really think that he had some genius plan that would allow the saint to catch Xiao Nanfeng, that he had a better idea than even the Heavenly Emperor and the saint?

The saint was taken aback as well. His momentary displeasure with Tang suddenly faded away. Tang really was trying to help him out! Could he really have come up with some incredible plan?

Tang turned to Lou Yujing in surprise. He had been planning to refuse twice or thrice before finally discussing his 'genius idea' in order to astound the saint with his sincerity, but Lou Yujing's comment forced him to change his plans. He couldn't help but feel a sense of doubt.

"I apologize, Your Eminence. I do have some inkling of an idea, but it would be useless if it were to leak, and I worry that..." Tang trailed off.

The saint glanced at the cultivators in the hall. To be frank, he had no intention of dismissing anyone because of Tang's worries. He didn't expect Tang to come up with a plan that could astound him; he was largely looking for ideas.

"Don't worry. Reveal your plan out loud. If anyone dares to leak it, I'll kill his entire clan," the saint declared.

The saint exuded a burst of killing intent, but no one dared to object. Everyone focused intently on Tang Zhengqi.

Tang took a deep breath. "As you will, Your Eminence. I believe that, if we want to take down Xiao Nanfeng, we can't just be thinking about his defenses or attacking his territory. Doing so is useless and subjects us to his ambushes. We can't let Xiao Nanfeng control our pace. Rather, we have to control his instead."

"Oh?"

"We can set up an ambush in advance and lure Xiao Nanfeng into our trap, transforming his battlefield into ours."

"Lure him into our trap? How?" Tang had successfully whetted the saint's curiosity.

"It's just like fishing. We'll need bait—whatever Xiao Nanfeng wants."

"And what does he want?"

"Your Eminence, I remember that you had a black coffin in Dunxian that you used in battle. I overheard your conversation with the Immortal Emperor and learned that Xiao Nanfeng had one of his own. Is this black coffin precious? Perhaps..."

"Using the black coffin as bait is viable," Lou Yujing murmured, nodding.

The saint grimaced. "Xiao Nanfeng has already stolen that coffin from me due to my carelessness. Yu Fuli wiped away the mark I left on the coffin to track it, too."

"What? The black coffins are all in his possession now?" Tang exclaimed.

"There are three black coffins in all. When the three are combined, a potent relic will be unveiled. I had left one of the coffins in the Southeastern Aquatic Palace in an attempt to fish out the other two, but I was careless. Not only did I fail to seize Xiao Nanfeng's coffin, I even lost my own." The saint pursed his lips.

"Then one coffin remains. This is our opportunity!" Tang's eyes lit up.

Lou Yujing could guess why the saint was hesitating. He glanced at Tang in shock. Of everyone in this room, he was the most clear-headed when it came to Tang. Though Tang's scheme was devious and indeed seemed as if it would work, Tang was likely Xiao Nanfeng's spy. That implied that the scheme wasn't meant to target Xiao Nanfeng, but rather the saint—more precisely, the saint's main body.

Lou Yujing could guess that Xiao Nanfeng had come up with this scheme, with Tang Zhengqi serving as his mouthpiece. He grew inwardly wary. The combination of Xiao Nanfeng and Tang Zhengqi was lethal indeed.

Even so, he had no intention to expose Tang. No—he would even support him.

"Saint Chi Hai, Tang is right. We know that Xiao Nanfeng is in possession of Yu Fuli's heart swords, and he has a number of Boundless Immortals supporting him. You've experienced his prowess before. If we can't take him down in a single attempt, we might as well not risk it, lest we waste such an exquisite plan," Lou Yujing said.

"You think this plan exquisite?" The saint frowned at Lou Yujing.

"Indeed. If you intend to adopt it, Saint, I will give you my full support. However, I am wary with regard to Yu Fuli's heart swords. If you can't deal with them, then so be it."

The saint frowned. Was Lou Yujing looking down on him? That ingrate!

Even so, the saint didn't reveal any outward emotion. He stared at Lou Yujing. "I shall think about this plan carefully. You had better ensure your subordinates don't reveal anything, or else."

"Of course, Saint. No one outside this hall shall learn of it."

"That won't suffice. I'll cast a secret technique on all cultivators present that allows me to overhear all conversations you and your avatars have," the saint demanded.

Lou Yujing frowned, but nodded. "Very well."

The cultivators in the hall were naturally forced to agree as well. The saint sent beams of red light into their bodies, all save Lou Yujing and Tang Zhengqi.

Then, the saint smiled in satisfaction and turned to Tang. "Refine your plan over the next few days, then discuss the specifics with me later."

"Yes, Your Eminence! Thank you for your trust. I'll do my best!"

It was all but guaranteed that the saint would adopt his plan by this point.

The saint stepped forward, dissipated into a cloud of blood-red fog, and then vanished from sight.

The gathered cultivators relaxed upon seeing the saint depart.

Tu Siniang and the others eyed Tang jealously, but didn't dare cause trouble for him.

"Tang Zhengqi!" Lou Yujing suddenly exclaimed.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Since the saint has enlisted your assistance with such an important task, you'll have to do your best. Don't worry about your other responsibilities for the time being. Ask for any resources you need."

Tang glanced at Lou Yujing in surprise, but didn't dare express his suspicions. He bowed gratefully. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I'll do my best."

"Very well. You may all leave!"

"Understood!" everyone replied.